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By: Abiodun Adewale.
AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli says Samuel Chukweuze will get enough time to prove himself for the Rossoneri, after he started their first game of the Serie A season against Bologna on the bench, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
AC Milan won the tie 2-0 thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic.
Chukwueze came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute for Pulisic at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Monday night but had little to do.
He became the sixth Nigerian player to feature for AC Milan after Aliyu Datti, Taribo West, Kingsley Umunegbu, Nnamdi Oduamadi and Taye Taiwo.
Pioli noted that Chukwueze was behind in preparations and that was the reason the winger was given only 16 minutes against the Rossoblù.
The Nigeria international joined the seven-time European champions July 27 and was not part of their pre-season tour of the United States, where the Rossoneri faced Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona in high-profile friendlies.
The former Villarreal star only started training with his new teammates two weeks before the start of the new Serie A season.
“It is always exciting before the first game of the season, we’re curious to see what we can come up with,” Pioli told DAZN, via Football Italia.
“We are playing those who are most ready, who have been working together since July. Chukwueze, Okafor and Musah only arrived two weeks ago, but I don’t think it will take them long to be at the same level as their teammates.”
After joining AC Milan for about €20m plus €8m in add-ons, Chukwueze was touted to form a potentially dangerous front-line on the flanks with Raphael Leao, but he might has his work cut out with Pulisic, who started in his place on the right wing having a good game.
The Nigerian will be aiming to make his home and starting debuts for Milan in their next game against Torino on Saturday, August 26.